Spain return to top of FIFA rankings, Germany drop outside top 10
Euro 2024 champions Spain have climbed to the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time in 11 years while Germany dropped out of the top 10, world soccer's governing body said.
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Alcaraz headlines Team Europe in Laver Cup title defense
SAN FRANCISCO: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz returns to the court in the wake of his US Open triumph on Friday when he headlines a Team Europe side aiming to retain the Laver Cup title against Team World.
Neom climb to 4th in Saudi Pro League after victory over Al-Okhdood
RIYADH: Newly promoted Neom climbed into fourth place in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Al-Okhdood that left them on six points after their first three matches.
FIFA Rankings: Spain Over France, Argentina at No. 1; USA at No. 16
Spain and Lamine Yamal took top spot from Argentina and Lionel Messi in the FIFA men’s rankings published on Thursday, and lead for the first time since being dethroned as world champion in June 2014.
Afghanistan crash out of Asia Cup after six-wicket loss to Sri Lanka
ABU DHABI: Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare.Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier.It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets.Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries.Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack. He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis.Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first.
Isack Hadjar on Red Bull rumors: ‘I didn’t sign anything’
BAKU: Isack Hadjar downplayed rumors that he is set to replace Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2026, saying “I didn’t sign anything.” Tsunoda has struggled to consistently generate points since being promoted to the main team ahead of the third race of the season, and enters this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix with just 12 . Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Hadjar has recovered from a crash in his first race in Australia to produce 38 points for the junior team. With Tsunoda currently 19th place in the driver’s standings and Hadjar in ninth, speculation has been rampant that the young Frenchman is set to be Red Bull’s next attempt to find a consistent points producer alongside Verstappen. Telling reporters this week that he “couldn’t care less” about the rumors, Hadjar added, “I think it’s very funny.
Mourinho appointed at Benfica as he returns to Portugal
LISBON: Benfica appointed Jose Mourinho as their coach on Thursday, with the Portuguese returning to work in his homeland 21 years after leaving Porto for Chelsea. The 62-year-old, who also coached Real Madrid and Manchester United among other clubs, was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce in August after Benfica beat them in the Champions League play-offs. Mourinho has signed a contract “to run until the end of the 2026/27 season,” Benfica said in a statement, with an option for either party to end the deal at the end of the current campaign. The two-time European champions sacked Bruno Lage after a shock defeat in their Champions League opener against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag on Tuesday. Mourinho will soon face reunions against former sides Chelsea and Porto, in the Champions League on September 30 and in the Primeira Liga on October 5 respectively. “I come to Benfica at a different stage in my career, and as a person... we transform for the better,” Mourinho told reporters, sitting alongside Benfica president Rui Costa. “I’m more altruistic, less self-centered, I think less about myself and more about the good I can do for others, the joy I can bring to others.
Canadian men jump to record No. 26 in FIFA rankings
The Canadian men's soccer team continues its record climb, jumping two places to No. 26 in the latest FIFA world rankings.